Glasgow’s 2014 Commonwealth Games may not be shown on free-to-air television after a Government-commissioned inquiry recommended it should be removed from broadcasting’s “crown jewels”.

The organisers now say they “cannot rule out” a situation where there is no coverage of the event on terrestrial TV.

The inquiry proposed that B-list events, which are currently assured highlights on free-to-air television, should be stripped of their status.

It said that protected coverage of highlights for events such as the Games was now “insufficient and out-of-step in a multi-channel, digital and online world”.

Gordon Arthur, director of communications for Glasgow 2014, said: “If the recommendations become legislation and the “crown jewel” status of the Games is removed, then having no free-to-air broadcaster is a possible outcome.”

The independent panel headed by David Davies, the former executive director of the Football Association in England, reviewed the list that safeguards Britain’s major sporting events for terrestrial broadcasters.

It recommended that all Scotland’s non-friendly football matches should be screened on free-to-air channels – a proposal that has been described by SFA chief executive Gordon Smith as “disastrous”.

However Secretary of State for Scotland Jim Murphy said: “I am clear that I would like to see as many football fans as possible in Scotland being able to watch football matches and that the Commonwealth Games coverage should be free-to-air for ­everyone to enjoy.”

The Government will now embark on a 12-week consultation period before making its final decision on future legislation and Mr Murphy has announced his intention to gather opinions on the subject from across the full spectrum of Scottish sport.

“Sport is a key element in our national identity and the UK Government wants to ensure everyone has access to the sports events that matter most to the nation, as well as a strong financial footing for our leading sports,” he said.

Jeff Whiteman, chief executive of Scottish Athletics, said that he “could not imagine” the Games not having a free-to-air channel as one of the key broadcasters.

“Anything that exposes our sport to the widest possible audience is the way forward and the BBC really is the home of athletics,” he said.

The chief executive of Commonwealth Games Scotland, Jon Doig, said he would be “concerned” at anything that reduced the coverage of the Commonwealth Games.

A BBC spokesman said they were currently “in talks” over securing the rights to cover the 2014 Games.

The inquiry went on to recommend that the Winter Olympics and The Derby should be dropped from the “A list” of events and the Ashes should be upgraded to guaranteed free-to-air live coverage.

Mr Davies said: “The panel’s task was to look beyond the interests of any one sport, and assess the events that really matter to society in the modern age.

“I believe our report is challenging for the sports governing bodies, the broadcasters and the Government. But unashamedly it puts the viewing public first.”

Mr Smith said the proposal to force Scotland’s major football championship qualifying matches to be shown on free-to-air television could have “serious financial repercussions” for grassroots football.

He said terrestrial stations “could not compete” with satellite stations in the money they could provide and, if the Government were to force through the legislation, it would jeopardise Sky’s four-year, £60 million contract with the SFA.

However SNP MSP Stuart McMillan said research showed the majority of Scots supported Scotland’s matches being available on free-to-air television.

“It is ridiculous that for many people the only way to watch such games is to go to the pub – often leaving our young footballers of the future unable to see the match and putting pressure on parents’ already stretched budgets to sign up to satellite or cable stations,” he said.